A SADISTIC killer who 'enjoyed' subjecting victims to
extreme violence, brutally murdered a recovering alcoholic in his own
home - before trying to sell his things.

Michael Pickering has been jailed for life with a minimum of 36
years after being found guilty of torturing and killing Jonathan Herd at
his Oldham flat.

Pickering, 31, who had denied the charge, was not in court to hear
his punishment having refused to leave his prison cell.

A judge said Pickering wanted to rob Mr Herd, 45, of anything he
had of value during the raid on July 30, 2017, after running out of
drugs.

Jonathan's extinguished the most cowardly way Judge Mansell He
repeatedly stabbed and punched Mr Herd at his flat on Lee New Road,
before jumping up and down on his body as he lay defenceless, causing
his lungs to collapse.

Mr Herd suffered 115 separate injuries. His body was discovered by
his parents the next morning.

After killing Mr Herd, Pickering took a taxi into Oldham with three
shopping bags of items he had stolen from the flat, including a mobile
phone, an Xbox, a TV, some DVDs, PS40 in cash, a coat and Mr Herd's
gold chain, which was ripped from his neck. Pickering tried to sell the
items at a branch of Cash Generators, but was refused. He is thought to
have sold them privately.

Jurors were told that nearly two decades ago Mr Herd's former
partner died, and that he turned to drink as a way of managing his
grief.

He was succeeding in his battle with drink and Manchester Crown
Court heard his family had 'genuine hope' he would return to
his former self.

Judge Richard Mansell QC, who said he would sentence as if
Pickering was in court, said: "Jonathan's life was
extinguished by you in the most callous, cowardly and brutal way
imaginable."

" The court heard Pickering, of Coverham Avenue, Oldham, had
only been out of prison for two months when he killedlife was by you in
callous, and brutal imaginable Richard Mr Herd, having served eight
years in prison for robbery, blackmail and causing actual bodily harm.
The judge said: "I am satisfied you gain a degree of enjoyment or
excitement from subjecting someone to extremes of violence and
torture."

After his release in May last year, Pickering began mixing with old
friends and continued abusing drink and drugs. Pickering's
co-defendant, Leon Wilkes, 38, was found not guilty of murder and of
manslaughter.

Jonathan's life was extinguished by you in the most callous,
cowardly and brutal way imaginable Judge Richard Mansell to hear his
refused to body as causing his in court, was extinguished most brutal
actual judge said:

CAPTION(S):

Michael Pickering

COPYRIGHT 2018 MGN Ltd.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.